Clermont Auvergne overcome Ulster with 29-13 win to reach quarter-final

Clermont Auvergne 29-13 Ulster, Stade Marcel-Michelin
Scorecard

Clermont Auvergne came up with a dominating second half performance as they defeated Ulster 29-13 in their Heineken Champions Cup at Stade Marcel-Michelin on Saturday.

This is Clermont's fourth win from five games as they qualified for the knock-out while Ulster are at second with 17 points.

John Cooney started the proceedings with a third minute penalty goal for Ulster but Clermont responded back with a drop goal from Camille Lopez four minutes later to level the scores.

Cooney with a converted try in the eighth minute seized the lead back for Ulster before Morgan Parra reduced the deficit with a penalty goal in the 22nd minute. Clermont suffered a setback at the start of the second half with Parra sin-binned for a deliberate knock on but Ulster failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage.

As the half-time was approaching, Parra with another penalty goal ensured the teams finished the first half with a 9-10 scoreline.

The French side made a strong start to the second half with a touchdown from Alivereti Raka in the 49th minute and Parra followed with the conversion making the scoreline 16-10.

The final quarter saw Cooney kicking a penalty goal to reduce the gap but penalties apiece fro Parra and Greig Laidlaw followed by a try from George Moala ensured Clermont completed a 16 point win.